Concord grape juice may benefit cognitive function in women

The relationship between Concord grape juice consumption and cognition is an emerging but growing area of research – specifically with regards to age-related memory decline.

Now, researchers have shown that the cognitive health effects associated with the Concord grape are not exclusive to older adults and that younger, healthy women may also benefit from drinking 100% juice made from this dark purple berry.

A new double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised crossover study sought to determine whether daily Concord grape juice consumption could provide cognitive benefits and help busy adults with everyday tasks. A group of scientists from the University of Leeds and Welch’s conducted the research which focused on individuals particularly prone to stress: mothers juggling the demands of a career and raising pre-teenagers.

The study found that daily Concord grape juice consumption was associated with improvements in certain aspects of memory and driving safety. Additionally, the researchers found that the beneficial effects associated with the Concord grape continued even after participants stopped drinking this juice, suggesting that the plant nutrients, or polyphenols, in this grape may have a prolonged impact on cognitive wellbeing. Earlier research indicates – and the authors of this study affirm – that the benefits of grape juice are likely due to the Concord grape’s unique mix of polyphenols, specifically a certain type called flavonoids. In fact, this work builds on the nearly 20 years of science that says 100% grape juice made with the Concord grape helps support a healthy heart – likely because of the flavonoids found naturally in the grape’s skin and seeds.